Deputy Director
Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands
Bio:
Ben Stireman currently serves as the deputy director for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, overseeing the sovereign lands and minerals programs for the Division. Ben has worked for the State of Utah for 9 years and has a diverse background working with state, local and federal agencies, along with non-profits, industry, and policymakers to address the various challenges facing sovereign lands. He holds a Master’s of Public Administration and particularly enjoys working on policy issues, conservation projects, and land use planning. In his free time, Ben enjoys fishing, skiing, and spending time with his wife and two boys.
Title: A Very Salty Journey
Abstract: The GSL Salinity Advisory Committee (SAC) has been very busy since the last Great Salt Lake Issues Forum in 2022! Record low water levels and critically high salinity in the South Arm made it imperative for FFSL, the SAC, and their partners to act to preserve the uses of GSL. This session will provide an overview of the observed changes in salinity, resulting risks, how we improved monitoring and forecasting of the Lake’s salt balance, adaptive management of a flow control berm to manage salinity, and, best of all, the resulting success of these efforts. It has been a wild two years, but the data, tools, and partnerships needed to protect GSL’s uses have never been stronger.
Title: Rules to Govern Current and Future Great Salt Lake Mineral Extraction
Abstract: The Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is the executive management authority of sovereign lands for the state of Utah which is inclusive of Great Salt Lake and its minerals. The Division has been tasked by the legislature to incentivize forms of extraction that are not reliant on evaporation and will not harm Great Salt Lake. With the passage of H.B. 513 during the 2023 legislative session and H.B. 453 during the 2024 legislative session, the Division has been busy drafting rules that will guide the permitting process for new and future projects, while safeguarding the delicate ecosystem of Great Salt Lake.